Is religion a necessary evil?

[Astreja]

Looking at the tragic statistics on suicide and crime, does religion with it's scare tactics doesn't sound so bad?

I mean, if you believe in Hell, even partially, you won't be as likely to kill yourself or become a criminal.

I think the cause/effect is a bit more complicated than that.  Personally, I think it's psychologically devastating to hear that you're worthless, filthy rags, fit only to be burned for eternity unless you grovel and accept Jesus.  Being hurt in such a way could lead to other unhealthy mental states, including depression and anxiety, or viewing other humans as equally worthless (and thereby fair game for any crimes you might choose to commit).

An allegedly "saved" person having a get-out-of-hell-free card could easily commit a crime and then pray for forgiveness (or not even bother with the prayer, if indoctrinated into a once-saved-always-saved version of Christianity).

As far as I'm concerned, frightening a minor child with threats of hellfire should be a felony worldwide, with jail time and loss of parental privileges, if applicable.